The Cat Who Caught a Killer: 1 (Conrad the Cat Detective, 1)

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The mystery element I felt was weak too, but I enjoyed Conrad’s character and the bond he forms with Lulu. I also didn’t feel any emotional connection to any of the characters and Lulu made several decisions that I just don’t think an ex detective would make. The second thing, and what made me decide I couldn't finish this book, is the author's decision to insert their grievances about the "politically correct" modern world and how everyone is just too sensitive these days. A serving Met police officer complaining about the Professional Standards Unit stopping them being racist (it's okay, he only wants to be a little racist, as a treat) was the proverbial straw for me. There was no indication from the author or the text that these were bad takes from the characters.

Steven denied responsibility for the crimes but failed to show up to his trial and was convicted in his absence. Bouquet was jailed for five years and three months at Hove Crown Court last July after being found guilty of 16 offences of criminal damage in relation to the cats, as well as possession of a knife. In his police interview read out during the trial, Bouquet told officers he was “no threat to animals” – but a photo of a dead cat was found on his phone, the court heard. Charming and original. This book is the cat's whiskers' - Anthony Horowitz, author of The Magpie Murders Neither has Lulu Lewis, until he walks into her life one summer’s day. Mourning the recent death of her husband, the former police detective had expected a gentle retirement, quietly enjoying life on her new canal boat and visiting her mother-in-law in a nearby care home. The characters themselves are not that well fleshed out, apart from Lulu and Conrad the Cat. And even then I didn't feel like I connected with anyone in the book. This was largely because Lulu and most her family and acquaintances are all rich, conservative-voting and live in one of the poshest areas in London (Maida Vale). None of them have any money worries. They talk about missing Thatcher and missing times when they could be politically incorrect in the police force. They talk about canvassing for Conservative leaders during general elections. They talk about investments and inheritances of millions of pounds without batting an eyelid. I just found myself not really liking anyone in this book for that reason. I didn't hate them, either. I just didn't connect with them as characters.Its a bittersweet story with a fun premise of revisiting all Emily's old friends to discover more about her Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Mynott is supporting the RSPCA’s Cancel out cruelty campaign. “All I can do is put my energy into helping other animals,” he said. When a relative with dementia dies suddenly Lulu is suspicious. Everyone around her seems to think she is mad for questioning things, but her ex-cop intuition niggles. With the help of the very intelligent, unusually coloured, calico cat (who only she can talk to!) she investigates the events (and people involved), leading up to the death. S. J. Bennett on The Cat Who Caught a Killer A captivating, charming and gentle tale, perfect for all those who love their crime cozy

Neither has Lulu Lewis when he walks into her life one summer’s day. Mourning the recent death of her husband, the former police detective had expected a gentle retirement, quietly enjoying life on her new canal boat, The Lark, and visiting her mother-in-law Emily in a nearby care home. J. M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of Murder A charming, off-beat story with some great characters and wonderful London locations. I’m sure it will make readers long for their own canal boat, and quite possibly – if they don’t already have one – their own talking cat. Conrad is a delight Conrad is a talking calico (and we get told he's calico quite a lot). After the loss of Lulu's husband, he adopts her. So starts a friendship. Not long after, Lulu's mother in law dies suddenly in her nursing home. Ex police officer Lulu isn't happy with the explanation which initially leads into her and Conrad finding out what really happened. This was such a charming tale and a genuine mystery that had me glued to my e-reader from start to finish' – 5* reader review

Advance Praise

There were a few things that made this book very much not for me, the first being the writing itself. It was extremely rudimentary with every detail over-explained - every outfit change, every drink made, even the washing up. Her travel routes are detailed step by step in more depth than Google maps directions, and as someone who lives just around the corner from where it's set I can tell you it really isn't interesting enough to warrant that! All of this extensive detailing just made it harder to get through without adding anything to the plot or character development. But what really needed careful editing were the frequent, and unnecessary, references to politics, leaving me with the impression that I was reading a book by a Thatcher admiring, Brexit loving, Covid denier. Whilst that wouldn't be a reason not to read a book in itself as I am more than willing to read books with views different than my own, I would rather not be in the midst of a 'cosy mystery' only to find myself mired in a soliloquy on the sweet nature of that lovely Margaret Thatcher, nor do I enjoy the main character's visit to another character's home being used as an excuse to criticise Labour councils, or being sideswiped by unrequired comments about people with piercings. The Cat Who Caught a Killer by L T Shearer is a great cozy mystery that combines some of my favorite subjects: cozy mysteries and cats!